stems to be expected per plant is six to seven. 
For best results the planting distance should 
be 10x10 or 12x12 inches. Closer planting will 
not give as good quality and may increase 
damage from wilt due to lack of air circulation 
between plants. 
PLANTS KILL BUGS. Five or six years 
ago we noted a report in a journal devoged to 
entomological research dealing with the use of 
sodium selenate for the control of red spiders 
on Carnations and Roses. The work was done 
by Dr. Neiswender of the Ohio Agricultural 
Experiment Station. It showed rather satis- 
factory results on Carnations but only fair 
kill on Roses. This work was followed up by 
Dr. Blauvelt of Cornell and was reported on at 
the recent short course for florists at Cornell. 
He secured rather striking results with one 
application on Carnations, which were thence- 
forth tree of red spider, aphids and thrips. 
Good results were also obtained on stock 
Mums, where in addition to the above named 
pests, midge was also controlled. On Carna- 
tions the material was used at the rate of 
14 gram to a square foot, diluted in water. A 
stock solution was made by dissolving about 
314 ounces of sodium selenate in 1 gallon of 
water. This was used at the rate of one quart 
to 25 gallons of water and applied to the soil 
at the rate of one gallon to four square feet or 
25 gallons to 100 square feet. For Chrysanthe- 
mum stock plants the total amount was dou- 
bled but was applied twice at one week inter- 
vals in single doses. 
Although this is still in the experimental 
stage, the results thus far obtained with Car- 
nations and Mums justify the hope that this 
will be a striking use of introducing materials 
into plants to kill bugs. We understand that 
in addition to this method a dry application 
will soon be on the market which may be ap- 
plied just like any fertilizer. Those who wish 
to try the method should do so on a small scale 
to become well acquainted with it before 
plunging headlong into it. We feel sure that 
Dr. Blauvelt of the Department of Entomol- 
ogy, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., will be 
glad to give further directions and instructions 
in the use of this material to anyone who 
writes to him. 
CARNATIONS. The short courses at 
Cornell and Ohio State gave a chance for con- 
siderable airing of some controversial points 
about Carnations. Many of these, however, 
are not so controversial when varying climatic 
conditions and other factors are considered. 
Let us take some examples. 
Sort STERILIZATION. Most growers con- 
cede that lack of labor has made them con- 
scious of the saving of effort in sterilizing soil. 
After using steam sterilization they concluded 
that if done properly just as good results may 
be expected as from fresh soil. However, some 
sections are still leery of the system. Part of 
it is prejudice and part due to improper tem- 
peratures and length of steaming. The best 
recommendation is to incorporate manure, 
steam for one hour at 160-180 deg., uncover 
and plant as soon as the soil is cool enough. 
If a thorough job is done, we are sure you'll 
like it. 
SUB-IRRIGATION. ‘This is probably just as 
good as surface watering in porous, well drained 
soils. Where it works well, there’s a great 
saving in labor. Some prefer to water overhead 
during the extremely dull days of Winter and 
sub-irrigate in the Spring and Summer. This 
method, like gravel culture, requires V-type 
beds, waterproofed to retain water. 
GRAVEL CuLturRE. We have seen some very 
excellent crops of Carnations, grown consist- 
ently well, year in and year out. Where it does 
not work is because instructions are not fol- 
lowed and not because of the notion that a 
chemist is required to do the job. If tried, the 
suggestions should be followed through, and 
the very fact that a grower is not a chemist or 
plant physiologist is proof enough that he 
should not try to use his own notions of better- 
ment. When he does, he usually goes hay- 
wire and then cusses the method. 
FreLp vs. Housk Growrina. In localities 
where Summers are extremely hot, without 
cooling off at night, the better practice is to 
set Carnations outdoors and bring in in July. 
Bigger plants with more vigor will result. 
Where nights are cool enough to produce suffi- 
cient breaks under glass, then that methodis 
commended because it saves labor. As to 
greater disease in field grown plants, we rec- 
ommend the method advocated by Ohio State 
of growing plants outdoors in steam or Larva- 
cide sterilized beds, the plants set 6 inches 
apart. Such a method is practical if beds are 
close enough for the use of steam. Much 
labor in cultivation and weeding is saved and 
fertilization, watering and spraying is under 
perfect. control. 
GROWING FOR MorE THAN ONE YEAR. 
Again in localities with reasonably cool nights 
during the Summer, many varieties do well 
during the second year, frequently giving 
higher production than the first year. Of 
course, if a dose of spider is contracted during 
the Summer and not controlled, the method is 
hazardous. 
ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR 
MUMS»? If so, be sure your cuttings are free 
of wilt. Sterilize your soil to prevent infection. 
Try planting rooted cuttings, they save labor. 
Start spraying early to avoid insect infestation. 
Avoid maturing too many during the mid- 
season. ‘Try growing better quality by not 
leaving more than four or five stems per plant 
